Oregon’s offense knows it will have its hands full Saturday against Utah.

The Utes are the Pac-12’s leader in sacks per game — 35 for 200 yards. They figure to apply pressure to freshman quarterback Justin Herbert and a young offensive line.

Duck coaches are hoping Herbert doesn’t let the matchup throw him off.

“They’re still getting after the quarterback,” offensive coordinator Matt Lubick said. “I think you guys probably know better than me — six or seven sacks against Arizona State. … Their numbers kind of speak for themselves. They’ve always been good on defense. Coach [Kyle] Whittingham has been there a long time.”

Herbert said Utah will present a robust attack on defense.

“They’re really athletic guys and they cover the receivers really well. We’ll have to do a good job preparing for them,” he said after practice on Wednesday.

He said that the offense shouldn’t significantly change the Ducks’ approach. Utah’s Hunter Dimick leads the nation in total sacks, 12 solo for an average of 1.2 a game.

“I don’t think it’s something that we have to change dramatically, so we have to go into this week prepared and attack the day,” Herbert said of Utah’s stout defense.

Against Stanford, Herbert was intercepted twice. Before Stanford, he had gone consecutive games without being intercepted against ASU and USC. Coming into Saturday’s game, Utah ranks No. 1 in the Pac-12 in interceptions with 17.

Lubick said interceptions generally place too much blame on the quarterback.

Herbert characterized his interceptions against Stanford as simple “bad decisions.”

“He’s his worst critic, but in a good way to get better,” Lubick said. “I think he’s able — if he makes a mistake — to move on and play the next play. He showed that against everybody. … He’s able to learn from it and move on.”

Lubick was able to find the positive in Utah’s defensive attack. He said Herbert must remain composed and able to make quick decisions, something he said his true freshman has handled with ease.

“I always thought that the great quarterbacks enjoy blitzing because then they have one-one-one coverage out there,” Lubick said. “And I think that is his attitude. Bring on the blitz. I am excited to see how he handles the pressure.”

He also cited Oregon’s games against USC and ASU as instances where Herbert remained poised.

“I think he will handle it well,” Lubick said. “He’s seen two pretty good pass rushes the last couple weeks.”

Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne

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